Bucking that trend, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette will cut the out-of-state fee for most online degree programs and graduate-certificate programs by more than half in spring 2017.

Last month, the University finalized the rate decrease. Students enrolled in an online degree program will pay the same rate, whether they live within or outside of Louisiana.

For example, a student residing in Texas and enrolling in six online credit hours for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program will pay $3,259, a 58 percent reduction from the $7,835 rate.

“The reduced tuition is key to helping meet the needs and expectations of out-of-state students,” said Luke Dowden, director of Distance Learning.

“We are trying to be more responsive to working adults and those who want a UL Lafayette degree but are unable to relocate.”

The University offers online degrees and graduate certificates in business, education, health care, nursing, professional writing, and systems technology.

“We were already attracting increasing numbers of students because of the reputation of our programs. The new competitive online price will enable more students to access our first-rate faculty and curricula. It’s the same great product, just at a far better price,” Dowden said.

The Office of Distance Learning is beginning to let prospective students know of the new rates through a targeted internet campaign.

The University’s RN-to-BSN degree and any future specially priced programs are exceptions to the rate reduction and will continue to operate under a package-price structure.